Hey there, First name / friend!
I’m writing this on a Sunday morning, knowing that you’ll receive this in a few days. I’m actually on one of my
solo business retreats, so I’m alone in a hotel room, watching the sun rise over Town Lake in downtown Austin, and sipping on room service coffee, which feels like the ultimate indulgence even if I actually find all room service coffee to be squarely mediocre.
But even if the coffee isn’t the most exquisite, it tastes special (to me) because it is a part of this experience of shutting out the world for 24 hours to wholly, utterly, “selfishly” focus on me, my creative desires, and what I’m being drawn to call in through my work.
I’m not immune to the maelstrom of daily life. We live in a fast-paced time. And it takes effort and planning to press pause when the vast majority of other inputs we consciously or unconsciously receive are telling us to keep up the pace and do more, faster, NOW.
I am human. So I, too, can get swept up in the urgency culture that capitalism perpetuates.
And yet, I actively find ways to counter it when possible.
I also understand that for the majority of us, we may have to live with the paradox of existing within capitalism while also trying to find ways to subvert its stronghold on our innermost selves. Until the system falls, we have to make money to survive. And… for those of us in the fortunate position of owning our own businesses, we can take control over how exactly we accomplish that.
Capitalism wants us to sacrifice so much of ourselves that it does not even consider us human beings. But we do not have to buy into any of those rules, standards, assumptions, or expectations.
And that, I believe, is the key.
When we own our humanity and bring it to the fore by slowing down and giving our needs and desires some breathing room, we are doing our part to quietly (or at whatever volume feels true for you!) subvert the system.
So with that in mind, as I take a look back on 2023 and envision what I wish for 2024, I’m taking stock of my business to get crystal clear on what my financial needs are to thrive in the life I’ve created for myself, while also not giving everything away.
The questions that I’m holding close at the moment are:
- How do I want to feel energetically?
- How do I want to feel mentally?
- How do I want to feel creatively?
- How do I want to feel physically?
- What do I need financially?
Spending some time with these questions is a great way to center and ground yourself in what you truly want and then create a plan that is designed just for you.
I also know how murky this stuff can be, especially if you aren’t used to taking that space.
For me, having these moments of pause via retreats are key to reclaiming my humanity and building my life and business on a foundation of sustainability and honesty.
If you are curious about exploring a retreat for yourself in 2024, I invite you to join me in whatever capacity your schedule and finances allow.
